Irving out of Saturday’s Betfair Hurdle

Once favourite to win the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury on Saturday, it has been announced that Irving will no longer take his place due to poor weather conditions and testing ground conditions.

Trainer Paul Nicholls confirmed the news on his twitter account, stating that fellow Axom Racing-owned Far West would line against Irish Saint instead.

“Due to heavy ground Irving is a non-runner Saturday at Newbury. Far West will run instead,” Nicholls wrote.

Irving had been as short as 6-1 favourite over at Paddy Power before Nicholls expressed his doubt earlier in the week due to testing ground conditions at the Berkshire racecourse.

Unbeaten in three starts over hurdles, the latest being the Grade 2 Kennel Gate Novices’ Hurdle at Ascot in December, Irving is sitting at a 10-1 chance at Paddy Power for the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at next month’s Cheltenham Festival.

Nicholls’s second horse in the race, Irish Saint, is now tipped to win the race at odds of 5-1, while new entrant Far West is currently sitting at 12-1.

Paddy Power are showing the best odds for the Betfair Hurdle, so be sure to open a real money account before the race on Saturday. Open a new account today and receive a free £50 bet!